Demographic Characteristics and Etiological Distributions of Poisoning Cases Admitted to Pediatric Emergency Clinic: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Aims: Poisoning, defined as exposure to harmful substances leading to organ dysfunction, is a prevalent global health concern, particularly affecting children under the age of five. Understanding the demographics and etiological distributions of poisoning cases is crucial for effective diagnosis and prevention strategies. The aim of this study is to ascertain the demographic characteristics and etiological distributions of individuals presenting to the pediatric emergency department due to acute poisoning. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the clinical data of patients aged 0-18 years who were admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Clinic at Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital for poisoning between January 1, 2023, and September 15, 2024. Results: The median age of the patients was 3.9 years, with an interquartile range of 12 years. Among the patients, 229 (88.4%) were asymptomatic, while 30 (11.6%) exhibited one or more symptoms. In cases of accidental poisoning, the most frequently ingested substances were caustic or corrosive agents (55 cases, 25.7%) and analgesic-antipyretic medications (36 cases, 16.8%). Gender-based comparisons revealed that the frequency of poisoning due to pharmacological agents was significantly higher in females (odds ratio [OR]: 2.837, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.682-4.785, p < 0.0001). Among the age groups, those aged 2-6 years showed a significantly higher prevalence of pharmacotoxic poisonings compared to other groups (p < 0.0001). Seasonal analysis indicated that summer had the highest occurrence of significant increases in cases (60 out of 162, 37%). Pharmacological agents, notably analgesics, were more frequently involved in poisonings, with a higher prevalence in females and preschool children. In contrast, non-pharmacological poisoning cases were more common in males and infants, particularly attributed to caustic substances. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant prevalence of acute poisoning among children, particularly in preschool-aged individuals, with a notable increase in cases during the summer months. The majority of poisoning incidents were accidental and predominantly involved pharmacological agents, especially analgesics and antipyretics, while intentional poisonings were more common among female adolescents.